The police report on the crash that killed Waukesha cyclist Brett Netke lists inattentive driving on the part of the 20-year-old motorist as a possible factor, but no citations have been issued and a review by the district attorney has just begun.

It could be several weeks before Waukesha County District Attorney Brad Schimel reaches a decision on whether any traffic citations or criminal charges are warranted in Netke’s death. A full reconstruction report by the Waukesha County Sheriff’s Department could take another month to complete and Schimel is waiting also for the results of tests to determine if the driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

The preliminary investigation found no cause to suspect the driver, a 20-year-old man from Dousman, was under the influence. He submitted a blood sample voluntarily.

Netke, a 42-year-old father of three, was killed about 9:45 a.m. on Sunday June 20, while biking eastbound on Hwy. 18, roughly one mile east of Hwy. 67 in the Town of Summit. His family buried him Friday after a funeral in Hillsdale, Mich., near his hometown.

The accident report prepared by Town of Summit Police Officer Michael Sterwald offers bare details on the crash. The notation on inattentive driving is only a check mark on one of a long list of driver factors and the report offers no elaboration.

Jeffrey Ek, an attorney hired to represent the driver, said he could not comment on the case while it remained under review.

Based on Sterwald’s report, Netke was pedaling on the right side of the road and the motorist struck him from behind 1/10th of a mile east of Wayfair Tr. The speed limit at that point is 55 mph and the car would have just crested a hill about 100 yards before the impact.

This is the view looking west from the accident site on Hwy. 18. Photo by Tom Held

At 55 mph, it appears the driver would have had a very short time to react to Netke pedaling ahead. The report notes the driver attempted to avoid the collision but was not able to do so.

There were no skid marks visible at the scene on Thursday morning.

That stretch of Hwy. 18 has a paved shoulder, roughly two feet wide.

The paved Glacial Drumlin Trail – a state trail used by bikers, runners, walkers and skaters - is immediately adjacent to the roadway, running parallel and roughly 10 yards to the south.

This photo shows the view to the east, just over the crest of the hill on Hwy. 18. Photo by Tom Held

Readers have suggested that Netke took an unnecessary risk by riding on the road rather than the trail, but cyclists have made the counterpoint that the trail is ill-suited for high-speed training. Bikers looking to train at 20 mph and more chose the road to avoid encounters with slower-paced recreational riders, walkers and families.

Netke raced at the citizen’s level in the Wisconsin Cycling Association and the Tour of American’s Dairyland, and Hwy. 18 was part of a regular training route.

He regularly joined group rides organized from the Bicycle Doctor Shop, nearby in Dousman.

According to Netke’s family, he was a highly competitive athlete for most of his adult life, including a stint on the Michigan State University track and cross country teams during his college years.

Netke and his wife moved to Wisconsin several years ago, when he took a job as the global procurement director for Johnson Controls in Milwaukee. About the same time, he refocused his competitive energies from running to cycling, because of an injury.

His team, the Wisconsin Colavita Regional Cycling Team, has established a college fund for his children. Donations can be sent to “Brett’s Echelon,” c/o Duane Weber M80, 507 E. Michigan St., Milwaukee, 53202.

Although it sounds counterintuitive to people who don't race, but riding at race-training speeds on bike paths is dangerous for kids and other recreational riders. Nobody wants to run over a child who's going 25 mph slower and wandering back and forth across the path at 5 mph. Yes, it's possible to slow down, but there are times around corners and others make it dangerous.

I realize that these accidents can happen anywhere. But I was never comfortable on that stretch of road. I only ride it a couple of times. I had a flat in almost the exact spot the picture was taken. I went to the far side of the bike path to the west to fix it, because the speed and relatively blind nature of traffic on that hill was not something I liked.

Really sad to hear about this and my thoughts are with the cyclist's family.

I hope that the authorities checked the cellphone record of the 20 year old? Here in Southeast Alabama the roads are shoulder less so we must share the road. I wear Day-Glo hi-vis colors and run bright Dinotte daytime running lights and tail lights. May look like a fool but have logged 8469 miles since retiring from Milwaukee

I first met Brett 2 years ago today, on the bike path, heading out to the Saturday Doc ride in Dousman. We did the Doc ride together and rode back on the path as an easy recovery ride. A nice guy that I will miss. As the article reports, the path has walkers, runners, roller bladers and bikers. What was not mentioned is that the path has people walking 3 or 4 wide across the entire available space. Worse yet, it routinely has people walking dogs which is extremely dangerous. The DNR stops bikers and asks for a permit yet allows the other dangerous activities noted above. I don't have an issue with the permit and actually bought two but I just want to mention that the path can be as dangerous as the road. It was sad but sobering riding past the area of the accident twice this morning.

You people make me sick! I know this person and your description of the person couldn't be further from the truth! Talk about yellow journalism! The young man is not even close to your description...sometimes accidents can't be avoided...riding a bike next to fast moving vehicles and over hills is dangerous. If the DA believed this could have been avoided, I'm sure charges would have been pressed. Condemning a man that has been trying to deal with such a tragic accident is uncalled for! He is trying to protect your very freedoms while serving his country with Integrity First, Selfless Service and Excellence. Why don't you be as brave as him and give all of your life to the Department Of Defense rather than while tragic, complaining about people who have nothing better to do than think they are too good to use a bike trail that they should be so lucky to have. Try even thinking about doing that crap in NY and it won't just be one car that side swipes you. There is another Samuel whom is a 22 year old tall, blonde, white guy that has a fancy ford made sports car that actually tries to mow down people and thinks alcohol/drugs is a valid excuse as he has no remorse even for his lack good Christian values. Now why does this Nebraska guy think he is too good to even attempt to pay for his Alcohol Related Incidents?